GUARDIANS AD LITEM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Overview
II. Organization & Contacts
III. GAL Job Description
IV. FAQs
V. Want to Volunteer? - Online Application
VI. North Carolina GAL Web Site
VII. Password Gate

OVERVIEW

                                                                           MISSION STATEMENT

To provide trained independent advocates to represent and promote the best interests of abused, neglected and dependent children in the state court system and to work towards a plan that ensures that these children are in a safe, permanent home.

The North Carolina Guardian ad Litem Program represents the needs of abused, neglected or dependent children whose cases come before the courts. The 3,600 volunteers represent 12,000 children in every county across the state.  There are currently 219 Guardians ad Litem in the 30th Judicial District who range in age from 18-85. The current caseload in the 30th Judicial District is 151 cases involving 238 children.

As a child goes through the legal system, trained GAL volunteers advocate for the child’s best interests, including a safe, permanent home for each child.

GAL volunteers are sworn into their position by a Juvenile Court judge. The volunteers work with an attorney advocate to make recommendations to the court on the child’s needs. This helps the judge make the best possible decision on the child’s future.

GAL is recognized as the champion of the best interest of abused and neglected children.

       

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ORGANIZATION & CONTACTS

The Guardian ad Litem program is organized with state, regional and local administration.

  Administrative Staff:

• Program Administrator: The Guardian ad Litem Services Division is headed by a program administrator and assistant administrator who manage the GAL program as defined by G.S. § 7B-1200 and 1201.
  

• Regional Administrators: Regional administrators provide resources, support , supervision and direction to local programs. They provide on-going quality control and ensure adherence to program standards and guidelines.
  

• Associate Counsel: The associate counsel provides technical assistance, legal support, consultation, resources and training for the program's attorney advocates.
  

• Data Coordinator: The data coordinator provides technical assistance and support to management staff, maintains district monthly statistical reports and ensures accuracy and integrity of statistical reports.

REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR
Alma Brown
704.662.6972
West Region (includes 30th District)

To e-mail the Guardian ad Litem office in the 30th Judicial District, click on the button below.

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JOB DESCRIPTION

Qualifications: The main qualification is a sincere concern for the well-being of children. The volunteer must be a mature adult of sound character with good verbal and written communication skills. The Guardian ad Litem volunteer must be able to interact and talk with people of various educational and  ethnic backgrounds. An essential characteristic is the ability to be objective and nonjudgmental.

Requirements: The process of becoming a guardian ad litem volunteer requires a written application, three personal/professional references and a criminal record check. A personal interview will be conducted by a staff member. The Volunteer must complete 20-30 hours of required training, which will include court observation. The fully trained and screened Volunteer will be sworn in by a district court judge before assignment of is or her first case. A Guardian ad Litem is appointed to a case for two years. This appointment may be extended if necessary.

Training and Supervision:  The training curriculum developed by the Guardian ad Litem Services Division is taught by the local district staff. Volunteers also receive ongoing training. Guardian ad Litem Volunteers are supervised by the program staff.

Activities: 

• Visits the child

• Ensures that the child's wishes are known to the court.

• Interview the parents, guardians, or caretakers

• Interviews the social workers and other service providers and reviews records related to the family.

• Gathers and assesses independent information about the child, sufficient to recommend a resolution that's in the child's best interests.

• Seeks cooperative solutions with other participants in the child's case.

• Prepares written reports for court hearings

• Attends and participates in court hearing and other related meetings.

• Testifies, if needed, to inform the court of changes in the child's situation

• Keeps all records and information confidential.

• Monitors provisions of service plans and court orders.

• Explains the role of the Guardian ad Litem to every child who is old enough to understand.

• Keeps the child informed of all aspects of the the court proceedings.

• Consults with local program staff for support and guidance.

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GUARDIAN AD LITEM FAQs

1. What is a Guardian ad Litem?  A guardian ad Litem (GAL) is a trained community volunteer who is appointed by the Juvenile Court to represent the best interests of a child who is involved in a court proceeding as a result of having been abused or neglected. The GAL is paired with an attorney advocate and they work together to ensure that the child's rights and best interests are presented to the court.

2. What does the name Guardian ad Litem mean?  Ad Litem means "this litigation" or "for this case". The Guardian ad litem is appointed to represent the child only for the duration of the court proceeding. The Guardian ad Litem does not serve as the child's legal guardian and has no control over the child's person or property. The Guardian ad Litem is not expected to find or provide a home for the child.

3. What is the GAL volunteer's role?  The GAL volunteer provides the judge with carefully researched information about the child to help the court make a sound decision about the child's future. The GAL is committed to thinking independently and objectively about each case.

4. How does the GAL investigate a case?  To prepare a recommendation, the GAL volunteer talks with the child(ren), parents, family members, social workers, school officials, health providers and others who are knowledgeable about the child's history. The GAL volunteer also reviews all records pertaining to the child such as school, medical, and case worker reports.

5. How does the GAL volunteer differ from a social worker? Social workers must consider reuniting the family, when appropriate, which requires considering the interest of all the  family members. Parents of children involved in court proceedings are represented by their own legal counsel. While the child also has an attorney advocate, the GAL volunteer is the only person whose sole task is to focus on protecting the best interests of the child.

6. How does the role of GAL volunteer differ from that of the attorney advocate? The attorney advocate is responsible for providing legal counsel and representation for the child in the courtroom. The GAL volunteer provides crucial information that  assists the attorney advocate in presenting  the case.

7. Is there a "typical" GAL volunteer?  No. Guardians ad Litem come from all walks of life, with a variety of vocational, ethnic and educational backgrounds.

8. Can anyone volunteer as a GAL?  Yes, as long as that person is an adult of sound character and committed to representing the interests of abused and neglected children. No special educational background is required.

9. What training does a GAL volunteer receive?  Guardian ad Litem Volunteers undergo a thorough training program conducted by the Guardian ad Litem district staff. Volunteers learn about courtroom procedure as well as effective advocacy techniques for children. They are educated about specific topics ranging from child sexual abuse to early childhood development and adolescent behavior.

10. How does the GAL volunteer relate to the child he or she represents?  GAL volunteers offer children trust and advocacy during complex legal proceedings. They explain to the child the events that are happening, the reasons they are all in court, and the roles that the judge, the lawyers, and the social workers play. While remaining objective observers, the GAL volunteers also encourage the children to express their opinions and hopes.

11. How many cases, on average, does a GAL volunteer carry at one time?  The number varies b the individual volunteer, but and average caseload is one or two.

12. How much time does it require to be a GAL volunteer?  Each case is different. A GAL volunteer usually spends more time doing research and conducting interviews prior to the first court appearance. More complicated cases take longer. Once initiated into the system, volunteers work approximately 10-15 hours a month.

11. How long does a volunteer remain involved in a case?  A GAL volunteer is appointed to a case for its duration.

12. Are there any other agencies or groups that provide the same service?  No. There are child advocacy organizations, but the Guardian ad Litem program is the only one where volunteers are appointed by the court to represent a child's best interest.

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ONLINE APPLICATION

If you would like to become a Guardian ad Litem Volunteer, a good place to begin is by filling out an application. Click here for an application that is fillable online. You will need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to retrieve this form. This is free software available on the Adobe site. If you need to install this software, please go to the Forms page of this site and follow the instructions there.

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PASSWORD GATE

The password gate allows those sworn as Guardians ad Litem to communicate among themselves. Anyone with the Username and Password can access a "forum" that I have established. Once in the "forum" anyone can post a message or question or respond to either from any internet connected computer wherever it is located. Please remember that this is not an encrypted site. I have access to its content and I am using another web site to enable the existence of the forum. While  you can post messages, questions and exchange ideas, it is  not the place to discuss confidential information.

Let me apologize in advance for the advertising that appears on the forum. It is not mine. It simply comes with the HTML code that allows me to provide the forum to you at no cost. I hope you will enjoy the forum and find it useful.

Also, please remember that the username and password are case sensitive.

If you need the username and password, please contact Mary May, Jackie Craig or Pat Steinbronn.

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